Recording and reproducing apparatus, mpeg image stream recording and reproducing apparatus and medium

ABSTRACT

There is a PSI receipt waiting time of two seconds or so from a start of decoding of an MPEG transport stream to actual display of AV data. There are provided first means of recording for recording a predetermined signal discretely including additional information of a program; means of controlling records for having said predetermined signal recorded by first means of recording; means of controlling reproduction for having said predetermined signal reproduced from said first means of recording; means of detecting PSI for detecting program specific information (PSI) from said predetermined signal; and means of adding PSI for adding said PSI to said predetermined signal.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/498,352, filed Aug. 3, 2006, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/762,380, filed Feb. 7, 2001, which is a U.S.National Phase Application of PCT International ApplicationPCT/JP2000/03620, filed Jun. 5, 2000, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a recording and reproducing apparatus,an MPEG image stream recording and reproducing apparatus and so on.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a signal compression technology in compliance with theMPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) standard has been used in variousfields and is applied to AV data recording and reproducing apparatus forinstance.

FIG. 10 (a) is a diagram showing an example of general configuration ofa decoder of audio/visual data (hereafter referred to as AV data)compressed in a form of an MPEG transport stream (hereafter referred toas MPEG-TS).

As shown in the diagram, in a stream decoder 100, a transport decoder110 is means of receiving input of an MPEG-TS. Also, an AV data decoder120 is means of receiving output from a transport decoder 110, and aframe buffer 130 is means of accessing an AV data decoder 120 andreproducing the AV data in a form capable of displaying on a displayunit.

Next, FIG. 10 (b) is a diagram showing a procedure for decoding andreproducing an MPEG-TS with time as its horizontal axis, and FIG. 11 (a)is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG-TS, and FIG. 11 (b) is adiagram showing a configuration of an image stream in an AV bit stream.Hereafter, MPEG-TS decoding and reproducing operation by a streamdecoder 100 will be described referring to the drawings.

First, if an MPEG-TS is inputted to the transport decoder 110, thetransport decoder 110 detects any PAT from the inputted MPEG-TS as astep shown in (i) of FIG. 10 (b). Here, a PAT (Program AssociationTable) is a packet comprising, in an MPEG-TS, a program number assignedto a program recorded in the MPEG-TS and a PMT (Program Mat Table)showing an ID of a packet for transmitting a stream such as AV datacomposing the program, and PATs are scattered in an MPEG-TS as shown inFIG. 11 (a). Moreover, PMTs also exist as packets in an MPEG-TS.

The transport decoder 110 detects any PAT and then detects any PMT as astep shown in (ii) of FIG. 10 (b), and as the case may be, furtherdetects any ID called CAT (Conditional Access Table) concurrently withdetection of any PAT and PMT as a step shown in (iii) of FIG. 10 (b).While AV data used for pay broadcasting is scrambled so that a generalviewer without a special purpose decoder cannot view it, a CAT shows anID of a packet for transmitting decoding information for descramblingit, existing as a packet in an MPEG-TS.

The program specification information such as PAT, PMT and CAT iscollectively called PSI (Program Specific Information), and so it can besaid that operation of transport decoder 110 as shown in (i), (ii) and(iii) of FIG. 10 (b) is performing detection of PSI.

An MPEG-TS in which PSI is detected by the transport decoder 110 isinputted as an AV bit stream to the AV data decoder 120. The AV datadecoder 120 decodes an image stream from the inputted MPEG-TS. As shownin FIG. 11 (b), in an MPEG bit stream, an image stream comprises theimage frames of frame I, frame B and frame P, and of these image frames,the frame that must be decoded first is frame I. Thus, as in the stepsshown in (iv) of FIG. 10 (b) and FIG. 11 (b), the AV data decoder 120first detects a frame I. If the frame I is detected, with the frame I asa starting point, an image stream is decoded from the MPEG-TS (step (v)of the same Figure). The decoded AV data is outputted to a frame buffer.

The frame buffer receives input of AV data from an AV data decoder, andaccumulates a certain amount of it (step (vi) of FIG. 10 (b)) and thenoutputs it to a display apparatus such as a display unit.

Incidentally, according to the above operation, it requires two secondsor so from a start of decoding an MPEG transport stream to actualdisplay of AV data. This is caused by operation for decoding an MPEG-TSinto ordinary AV data, and the time can be divided into two as follows.One is the time required for detecting PSI in a transport decoder (PSIwaiting time), and the other is the time required for detecting theframe I in an AV decoder (frame I waiting time).

The time required for detecting PSI and the time required for detectingthe frame I are felt by a user of an MPEG transport stream reproducingapparatus as waiting time from performing reproducing operation toactually becoming capable of viewing AV data, which has been problematicin terms of convenience.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was achieved in view of such a problem, and anobject is to provide an MPEG transport stream recording and reproducingapparatus and an MPEG image stream recording and reproducing apparatusof which convenience has been improved by shortening the waiting timefrom actually performing operation for starting reproduction to becomingcapable of viewing AV data.

One aspect of the present invention is a recording and reproducingapparatus, characterized by comprising:

first means of recording for recording a predetermined signal discretelyincluding additional information of a program;

means of controlling records for having said predetermined signalrecorded by said first means of recording;

means of controlling reproduction for having said predetermined signalreproduced from said first means of recording;

means of detecting additional information for detecting said additionalinformation of a program from said predetermined signal; and

means of adding additional information for adding said additionalinformation to said predetermined signal.

Another aspect of the present invention is a recording and reproducingapparatus, characterized by comprising:

first means of recording for recording a predetermined signal discretelyincluding additional information of a program;

means of controlling records for having said predetermined signalrecorded by said first means of recording;

means of controlling reproduction for having said predetermined signalreproduced from said first means of recording;

means of detecting PSI or SI for detecting PSI (Program SpecificInformation) or SI (Service Information) from said predetermined signal;and

means of adding PSI or SI for adding said PSI or SI to saidpredetermined signal.

Still another aspect of the present invention is an MPEG image streamrecording and reproducing apparatus, comprising:

sixth means of recording for recording an MPEG image stream;

means of controlling records for having said MPEG image stream recordedby said sixth means of recording;

means of controlling reproduction for having said MPEG image streamreproduced from said sixth means of recording;

means of detecting frame I location information for detecting a locationof frame I in said MPEG image stream as frame I location information;and

means of managing frame I location information for managing said frame Ilocation information,

characterized in that:

said means of controlling reproduction acquires frame I locationinformation from said means of managing frame I location informationand, based on it, reproduces an MPEG image stream having frame I at itshead.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a recording andreproducing apparatus, comprising:

first means of recording for recording an MPEG transport stream;

means of controlling records for having said MPEG transport streamrecorded by said first means of recording;

means of controlling reproduction for having said MPEG transport streamreproduced from said first means of recording;

means of detecting PCR (Program Clock Reference) from said MPEGtransport stream; and

means of adding PCR for adding said PCR to said MPEG transport stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 (a) is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG-TS processedby an MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 (b) is a diagram showing a configuration of an image streamprocessed by an MPEG image stream recording and reproducing apparatus ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG image streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG image streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG image streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 (a) is a diagram showing a configuration of a stream decoder bya conventional technology;

FIG. 10 (b) is a flowchart showing how an MPEG-TS is decoded by an AVdata decoder;

FIG. 11 (a) is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG-TS processedon a stream decoder;

FIG. 11 (b) is a diagram showing a configuration of an image streamprocessed on a stream decoder;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing existence of PCR in an MPEG transportstream; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing existence of SI in an MPEG transportstream.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

-   1 Means of detecting PSI or SI-   2 Means of controlling records-   3 Means of recording-   4 Means of controlling reproduction-   5 Means of adding PSI or SI-   6 Means of managing PSI or SI location information-   10, 20, 30, 40, 50 MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing    apparatus-   11 Means of detecting frame I location information-   12 Means of managing frame I location information-   13 Means of reading frame I location information-   60, 70, 80 Image stream recording and reproducing apparatuses-   100 Stream decoder-   110 Transport decoder-   120 AV data decoder-   130 Frame buffer

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereafter, Embodiments of the present invention will be described.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention. As shown in the diagram, in the MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus 10, means of detecting PSI 1 andmeans of controlling records 2 are means of directly receiving input ofan MPEG transport stream (MPEG-TS). Also, means of recording 3 is meansof recording an MPEG-TS under control of means of controlling records 2,and has a random access function such as an HDD. Means of controllingreproduction 4 is means of reproducing an MPEG-TS recorded in means ofrecording 3. In addition, means of adding PSI 5 is means of receivinginput from means of detecting PSI 1 and means of controllingreproduction 4 and outputting an MPEG-TS to the outside of MPEGtransport stream recording and reproducing apparatus 10.

This Embodiment 1 of the present invention having the aboveconfiguration will be described next.

First, recording operation will be described. If means of controllingrecords 2 starts operation for recording an MPEG-TS, an MPEG-TS isinputted from the outside, and then the MPEG-TS is inputted to bothmeans of detecting PSI 1 and means of controlling records 2. On receiptof input of the MPEG-TS, means of controlling records 2 records it inmeans of recording 3. The MPEG-TS is saved as accumulated data in meansof recording 3.

On the other hand, on receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, means ofdetecting PSI 1 detects any PAT, PMT and CAT that are the packetscomprising PSI from each of the packets comprising the MPEG-TS, andrecords them as PSI data. Here, the PSI data is the packets comprisingthe PSI data arranged as one in predetermined order such as a PAT first,a PMT next and a CAT at last. Moreover, at the time of detecting the PSIdata, means of detecting PSI 1 also concurrently detects values ofcyclic counters held by the PAT, PMT and CAT respectively. Here, thecyclic counters are data to which values of 0 to 15 are given in variouspackets comprising an MPEG-TS including a PAT, a PMT and a CAT, and theMPEG-TS is reproduced by consecutively detecting these values.

Thus, in recording operation, an MPEG-TS is recorded in means ofrecording 3 and PSI data is recorded in means of detecting PSI 1respectively.

Next, a reproducing operation will be described. Means of controllingreproduction 4 reads an MPEG-TS recorded in means of recording 3 andoutputs it to means of adding PSI 5. Also, means of detecting PSI 1outputs PSI data to means of adding PSI 5.

On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS from means of controllingreproduction 4 and the PSI data from means of detecting PSI 1respectively, means of adding PSI 5 adds the PSI data to the head of theMPEG-TS. At this time, means of adding PSI 5 performs addition byprocessing the values of cyclic counters of the PAT, PMT and CATcomprising the PSI data so that they keep continuity with the values ofcyclic counters of the PAT, PMT and CAT comprising the PSI detectedearlier.

The MPEG-TS of which head PSI data is added to as above is outputted tothe outside of MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus10.

A reproduced MPEG-TS is decoded by a conventional MPEG-TS decoder, andat that time, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), a PAT, a PMT and a CAT that arePSI are given in the form of PSI data to the head of the MPEG-TS, and sothe decoder processes such data first. Therefore, the decoder does notneed to perform operation for detecting any PMT, PAT and so on so thatthe time therefore is saved.

Thus, at the time of recording an MPEG-TS, an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus of this Embodiment 1 detects PSIincluded in an MPEG-TS to be recorded as PSI data in advance and at thetime of reproduction, adds it to the head of the MPEG-TS to bereproduced so as to allow time for preparation required for reproductionto be shortened as a whole by omitting operation for detection of PSI bythe decoder on decoding.

Moreover, while the above description was given on the assumption thatthe packets of the PAT, PMT and CAT comprising PSI are single packetrespectively, there are also cases where a PAT, a PMT and a CAT arecomprised of a plurality of packets respectively. In this case, ondetecting PSI, means of detecting PSI 1 detects values of cycliccounters of the PAT, PMT and CAT concurrently with order of arrangementof the plurality of packets, and means of adding PSI 5 performs additionto the MPEG-TS so that the order of arrangement of the packets keepscontinuity as with the values of cyclic counters.

Moreover, as for a method of keeping continuity of values of cycliccounters, it is also possible to rewrite the values of cyclic countersof the PSI data to be added in accordance with the values of cycliccounters of the PSI originally included in the MPEG-TS, or to replacerespective PSI originally included in the MPEG-TS in accordance with thevalues of cyclic counters of the PSI data to be added. Especially, thisrewriting is implemented by replacing every PSI included in the originalMPEG-TS with said PSI data of which values of cyclic counters areconsecutively changed.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 2. As shownin the diagram, in the MPEG transport stream recording and reproducingapparatus 20 wherein the same numbers as FIG. 1 indicate the samedivisions, means of detecting PSI 1 is provided on a reproduction side,and means of controlling reproduction 4 outputs to both means of addingPSI 5 and means of detecting PSI 1, and means of adding PSI 5 receivesinput from means of controlling reproduction 4 and means of detectingPSI 1.

This Embodiment 2 having the above configuration will be described next.

First, recording operation will be described. If means of controllingrecords 2 starts operation for recording an MPEG-TS, an MPEG-TS isinputted from the outside, and then the MPEG-TS is inputted to means ofcontrolling records 2. On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, means ofcontrolling records 2 records it in means of recording 3. Similarly asEmbodiment 1, the MPEG-TS is saved as accumulated data in means ofrecording 3.

Next, reproducing operation will be described. Means of controllingreproduction 4 reads an MPEG-TS recorded in means of recording 3 andoutputs it to means of adding PSI 5 and means of detecting PSI 1.

On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, just as in Embodiment 1 to beimplemented hereafter, means of detecting PSI 1 detects PSI as PSI datatogether with its values of cyclic counters and outputs them to means ofadding PSI 5.

On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS from means of controllingreproduction 4 and the PSI data from means of detecting PSI 1respectively, means of adding PSI 5 adds the PSI data to the head of theMPEG-TS so that continuity of the values of cyclic counters is kept andoutputs them to the outside of MPEG transport stream recording andreproducing apparatus 10.

Thus, an MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus ofthis Embodiment 2 detects PSI included in an MPEG-TS as PSI data whenreproducing the MPEG-TS and adds it to the head of the MPEG-TS so as toallow time for preparation required for reproduction of the MPEG-TS tobe shortened as a whole by eliminating the need to record PSI data frommeans of detecting PSI.

Moreover, as in this embodiment 1, while the above description was givenon the assumption that the packets of the PAT, PMT and CAT comprisingPSI are single packet respectively, there are also cases where a PAT, aPMT and a CAT are comprised of a plurality of packets respectively. Inthis case, on detecting PSI, means of detecting PSI 1 detects values ofcyclic counters of the PAT, PMT and CAT concurrently with order ofarrangement of the plurality of packets, and means of adding PSI 5performs addition to the MPEG-TS so that the order of arrangement of thepackets keeps continuity as with the values of cyclic counters.

Moreover, as for a method of keeping continuity of values of cycliccounters, it is also possible to rewrite the values of cyclic countersof the PSI data to be added in accordance with the values of cycliccounters of the respective PSI originally included in the MPEG-TS, or toreplace respective PSI originally included in the MPEG-TS in accordancewith the values of cyclic counters of the PSI data to be added.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 3. As shownin the diagram, in MPEG transport stream recording and reproducingapparatus 30 wherein the same numbers as FIG. 1 indicate the samedivisions, means of adding PSI 5 is means of receiving input from meansof detecting PSI 1 and outputting PSI data to means of controllingrecords 2.

This Embodiment 3 having the above configuration will be described next.

First, recording operation will be described. If means of controllingrecords 2 starts operation for recording an MPEG-TS, an MPEG-TS isinputted from the outside, and then the MPEG-TS is inputted to bothmeans of detecting PSI 1 and means of controlling records 2.

Next, on receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, means of detecting PSI 1detects from each of the packets comprising it PSI together with itsvalues of cyclic counters and outputs it as PSI data to means of addingPSI 5. On receipt of input of the PSI data, means of adding PSI 5outputs it to means of controlling records 2 and adds the PSI data tothe head of the MPEG-TS in means of controlling records 2 so thatcontinuity of the values of cyclic counters is kept with the MPEG-TSinputted so far.

Means of controlling records 2 receives input of the MPEG-TS to whichPSI data inputted from means of adding PSI 6 is added. Morespecifically, means of controlling records 2 records in means ofrecording 3 the MPEG-TS of which head the PSI data is added to.

Next, as for reproducing operation, as with a conventional MPEG-TSrecording and reproducing apparatus, it is performed by reading anMPEG-TS from means of recording 3 under control of means of controllingreproduction 4. However, the MPEG-TS recorded in means of recording 3has already PSI data given to its head, so no redundant operation fordetecting PSI is performed on decoding, as in Embodiments 1 and 2.

Thus, this Embodiment 3 allows time for preparation required forreproduction to be shortened as a whole by omitting operation fordetecting PSI by the decoder on decoding.

In addition, it also allows reduction of a burden of processing on theapparatus on reproduction by adding PSI data in advance at the stage ofthe MPEG-TS to be stored in means of recording 3.

Moreover, as in this Embodiment 1, while the above description was givenon the assumption that the packets of the PAT, PMT and CAT comprisingPSI are single packet respectively, there are also cases where a PAT, aPMT and a CAT are comprised of a plurality of packets respectively. Inthis case, on detecting PSI, means of detecting PSI 1 detects values ofcyclic counters of the PAT, PMT and CAT concurrently with order ofarrangement of the plurality of packets, and means of adding PSI 5performs addition to the MPEG-TS so that the order of arrangement of thepackets keeps continuity as with the values of cyclic counters.

Furthermore, as for a method of keeping continuity of values of cycliccounters, it is also possible to rewrite the values of cyclic countersof the PSI data to be added in accordance with the values of cycliccounters of the respective PSI originally included in the MPEG-TS, or toreplace respective PSI originally included in the MPEG-TS in accordancewith the values of cyclic counters of the PSI data to be added.Especially, this rewriting is implemented by replacing every PSIincluded in the original MPEG-TS with said PSI data of which values ofcyclic counters are consecutively changed.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of thepresent invention. As shown in the diagram, in MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus 40 wherein the same symbols as FIG.1 indicate the same divisions, means of managing PSI locationinformation 6 is means placed between means of detecting PSI 1 and meansof controlling reproduction 4.

This Embodiment 4 having the above configuration will be described next.

First, recording operation will be described. If means of controllingrecords 2 starts operation for recording an MPEG-TS, an MPEG-TS isinputted from the outside, and then the MPEG-TS is inputted to bothmeans of detecting PSI 1 and means of controlling records 2.

Next, on receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, means of detecting PSI 1detects from each of the packets comprising it PSI together with itsvalues of cyclic counters and outputs it as PSI data to means ofcontrolling records 2.

On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS and the PSI data, means ofcontrolling records 2 stores them in means of recording 3. At that time,means of managing PSI location information 6 accesses means ofcontrolling records 2 and acquires as PSI location information alocation in the means of recording where means of controlling records 2has recorded the PSI data.

In the above recording operation, the MPEG-TS and the PSI data arestored in means of recording 3, and PSI location information is storedin means of managing PSI location information 6.

Next, reproducing operation will be described. Means of controllingreproduction 4 reads an MPEG-TS and PSI data recorded in means ofrecording 3. However, at this stage, the MPEG-TS and PSI data areoutputted as uniform digital data without distinguishing their contents.

Next, means of managing PSI location information 6 accesses means ofcontrolling reproduction 4 and detects a location, based on PSI locationinformation, where the PSI data is recorded from digital data beingprocessed in means of controlling reproduction 4. And then, upondetection of the location of the PSI data, means of managing PSIlocation information 6 fetches the PSI data from the location and addsit to the head of the MPEG-TS in the original digital data so thatcontinuity of the values of cyclic counters is kept so as to become atransport stream in continuity with the MPEG-TS inputted so far.

Lastly, means of controlling reproduction 4 outputs the MPEG-TS of whichhead the PSI data is added to and of which data is partly changed to theoutside of MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus 10.

Thus, at the time of reproducing the MPEG-TS, an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus of this Embodiment 4 detects PSIincluded in an MPEG-TS as PSI data and adds it to the head of theMPEG-TS so that it allows time for preparation required for reproductionof the MPEG-TS to be shortened as a whole by eliminating the need torecord PSI data from means of detecting PSI, and it also allowsconvenience of data management to be improved by having the PSI datarecorded in the means of recording.

Moreover, as in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, while the abovedescription was given on the assumption that the packets of the PAT, PMTand CAT comprising PSI are single packet respectively, there are alsocases where a PAT, a PMT and a CAT are comprised of a plurality ofpackets respectively. In this case, on detecting PSI, means of detectingPSI 1 detects values of cyclic counters of the PAT, PMT and CATconcurrently with order of arrangement of the plurality of packets, andmeans of managing PSI location information 6 performs addition to theMPEG-TS so that the order of arrangement of the packets keeps continuityas with the values of cyclic counters.

Furthermore, as for a method of keeping continuity of values of cycliccounters, it is also possible to rewrite the values of cyclic countersof the PSI data to be added in accordance with the values of cycliccounters of the respective PSI originally included in the MPEG-TS, or toreplace the respective PSI originally included in the MPEG-TS inaccordance with the values of cyclic counters of the PSI data to beadded.

Embodiment 5

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of thepresent invention. As shown in the diagram, in MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus 50 wherein the same symbols as FIG.1 and FIG. 4 indicate the same divisions, means of detecting PSI 1 andmeans of managing PSI location information 6 are connected to create aroute different from that of an MPEG-TS between means of recording 3 andmeans of controlling reproduction 4.

This Embodiment 5 having the above configuration will be described next.

First, recording operation will be described. If means of controllingrecords 2 starts operation for recording an MPEG-TS, an MPEG-TS isinputted from the outside, and then the MPEG-TS is inputted to means ofcontrolling records 2. On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, means ofcontrolling records 2 it sends to means of recording 3. Operation up tothis point is the same as that of a conventional MPEG-TS recording andreproducing apparatus.

Next, means of detecting PSI 1 accesses means of recording 3 and detectsfrom the MPEG-TS stored in the means of recording 3 PSI together withits values of cyclic counters and writes them as PSI data to means ofrecording 3, and also detects a location in the means of recording 3where the PSI data is stored, and then inputs this location as PSIlocation information in means of managing PSI location information 6.The means of managing PSI location information stores the inputted PSIlocation information.

Next, reproducing operation will be described. Means of controllingreproduction 4 reads an MPEG-TS recorded in means of recording 3. On theother hand, means of managing PSI location information 6 accesses meansof reproducing 3 and detects a location, based on PSI locationinformation, where the PSI data is recorded from the MPEG-TS beingprocessed in means of controlling reproduction 4, and then fetches thePSI data from the location and adds it to the head of the MPEG-TS in theoriginal digital data so that continuity of the values of cycliccounters is kept so as to become a transport stream in continuity withthe MPEG-TS inputted so far.

Lastly, means of controlling reproduction 4 outputs the MPEG-TS of whichhead the PSI data is added to and of which data is thus partly correctedto the outside of MPEG transport stream recording and reproducingapparatus 10.

Thus, at the time of reproducing an MPEG-TS, an MPEG transport streamrecording and reproducing apparatus of this Embodiment 5 detects PSIincluded in the MPEG-TS as PSI data and adds it to the head of theMPEG-TS so that it allows time for preparation required for reproductionof the MPEG-TS to be shortened as a whole by eliminating the need torecord PSI data from means of detecting PSI, and it also allowsoperation for detecting PSI to be performed separately from recordingand reproducing, that is, independently from operation of means ofcontrolling records 2 and means of controlling reproduction 4.

Moreover, similarly as Embodiment 4 of the present invention, while theabove description was given on the assumption that the packets of thePAT, PMT and CAT comprising PSI are single packet respectively, thereare also cases where a PAT, a PMT and a CAT are comprised of a pluralityof packets respectively. In this case, on detecting PSI, means ofdetecting PSI 1 detects values of cyclic counters of the PAT, PMT andCAT concurrently with order of arrangement of these plurality ofpackets, and means of managing PSI location information 6 performsaddition to the MPEG-TS so that the order of arrangement of the packetskeeps continuity as with the values of cyclic counters.

Furthermore, as for a method of keeping continuity of values of cycliccounters, it is also possible to rewrite the values of cyclic countersof the PSI data to be added in accordance with the values of cycliccounters of the respective PSI originally included in the MPEG-TS, or toreplace the respective PSI originally included in the MPEG-TS inaccordance with the values of cyclic counters of the PSI data to beadded.

Incidentally, while an MPEG transport stream is selected as a subjectsignal of recording and reproducing in the above Embodiments 1 to 5, asubject signal for recording and reproducing of the present inventioncan be in short any predetermined signal, not limited thereto, in whichadditional information of a program is discretely included such as DSS(a format used for digital TV in the U.S.A.).

In addition, while the above Embodiments 1 to 5 are explained by takingan MPEG transport stream including PSI as an example, the aboveEmbodiments 1 to 5 are also applicable in the case where PCR (ProgramClock Reference) is handled in place of PSI (see FIG. 12). Drawings anddescription of Embodiments using the PCR are omitted since they areeasily understood by replacing PSI with PCR in the respective drawingsand corresponding description in the above Embodiments 1 to 5.

Moreover, while the above Embodiments 1 to 5 are explained by taking anMPEG transport stream including PSI as an example, the above Embodiments1 to 5 are also applicable in the case where SI (Service Information) ishandled in place of PSI (see FIG. 13). Drawings and description ofEmbodiments using the SI are omitted since they are easily understood byreplacing PSI with SI in the respective drawings and correspondingdescription in the above Embodiments 1 to 5.

Embodiment 6

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image stream recordingand reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the presentinvention. As shown in the diagram, in MPEG image stream recording andreproducing apparatus 60, means of detecting frame I locationinformation 11 and means of controlling records 2 are means of directlyreceiving input of an image stream. Also, means of recording 3 is meansof recording an image stream under control of means of controllingrecords 2, means of controlling reproduction 4 is means of reproducingan image stream recorded in means of recording 3, and means of managingframe I location information 12 is means of receiving input from meansof detecting frame I location information 11 and means of controllingrecords 2 and outputting an image stream to the outside of image streamrecording and reproducing apparatus 60.

This Embodiment 6 having the above configuration will be described next.

First, recording operation will be described. If means of controllingrecords 2 starts operation for recording an image stream, an imagestream is inputted from the outside, and then the image stream isinputted to both means of detecting frame I location information 11 andmeans of controlling records 2. On receipt of input of the image stream,means of controlling records 2 records it in means of recording 3. Theimage stream is saved as accumulated data in means of recording 3.

On the other hand, on receipt of input of the image stream, means ofdetecting frame I location information 11 detects any location of frameI in this image stream, and inputs it as frame I location information inmeans of managing frame I location information 12.

On receipt of input of the frame I location information from means ofdetecting frame I location information 11, the means of managing frame Ilocation information acquires it and information from means ofcontrolling records 2 so as to detect where said frame I locationinformation is located in image data stored in means of recording 3 andmanage the storage location of the frame I location information in thismeans of recording 3.

Thus, in recording operation, an image stream is recorded in means ofrecording 3 and a storage location of frame I location information onmeans of recording 3 is recorded in means of managing frame I locationinformation 12 respectively.

Next, reproducing operation will be described. Means of controllingreproduction 4 reads an image stream recorded in means of recording 3.Means of controlling reproduction 4 further acquires the storagelocation of frame I location information managed by means of detectingframe I location information 11 to detect the location of frame I fromthe image stream inputted from means of recording 3 and output the imagestream headed with the frame I to the outside of image stream recordingand reproducing apparatus 60.

While the reproduced image stream is decoded by a conventional imagestream decoder, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), at this time, an image streamprocessed by image stream recording and reproducing apparatus 60 isinputted with frame I at its head to the decoder so that operation fordetection of frame I by the decoder will be omitted.

Thus, on recording an image stream, an image transport stream recordingand reproducing apparatus of this Embodiment 6 detects any frame Iincluded in an image stream to be recorded as frame I locationinformation in advance, and on reproduction, outputs the image streamheaded with this frame I so as to allow time for preparation requiredfor reproduction to be shortened as a whole by omitting operation fordetection of frame I by the decoder on decoding.

Embodiment 7

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image stream recordingand reproducing apparatus of Embodiment 7 of the present invention. Asshown in the diagram, in an image stream recording and reproducingapparatus 70, the same symbols as FIG. 7 are the same divisions or thesame means. Means of detecting frame I location information 11 and meansof controlling records 2 are means of directly receiving input of animage stream, and means of detecting frame I location information 11 isfurther means of inputting to means of controlling records 2, and meansof reading frame I location information 13 is means of accessing meansof recording 3 and also inputting to means of controlling reproduction4.

This Embodiment 7 having the above configuration will be described next.

First, recording operation will be described. If means of controllingrecords 2 starts operation for recording an image stream, an imagestream is inputted from the outside, and then the image stream isinputted to both means of detecting frame I location information 11 andmeans of controlling records 2.

Next, on receipt of input of the image stream, means of detecting frameI location information 11 detects any location of frame I in the imagedata, and inputs it as frame I location information to means ofcontrolling records 2.

On receipt of input of the image stream and the above frame I locationinformation, means of controlling records 2 records them both in meansof recording 3. The image stream and the frame I location informationare stored as accumulated data in means of recording 3.

Next, reproducing operation will be described. Means of controllingreproduction 4 reads the image stream recorded in means of recording 3.

On the other hand, means of reading frame I location information 13 alsoaccesses means of recording 3 and acquires frame I location informationand then outputs it to means of controlling reproduction 4.

On receipt of input of the above frame I location information, based onit, means of controlling reproduction 4 detects any location of frame Ifrom the image stream read from means of recording 3, and outputs theimage stream headed with the frame I to the outside of image streamrecording and reproducing apparatus 70.

While the reproduced image stream is decoded by a conventional imagestream decoder, as in Embodiment 6, the image stream is inputted withframe I at its head to the decoder so that operation for detection offrame I by the decoder will be omitted.

Thus, on recording an image stream, an image stream recording andreproducing apparatus of this Embodiment 7 detects any frame I includedin an image stream to be recorded as frame I location information inadvance and records it in means of recording, and then reproduces theframe I location information and the image stream so that the imagestream headed with frame I is outputted so as to allow time forpreparation required for reproduction to be shortened as a whole byomitting operation for detection of frame I by the decoder on decoding.

Embodiment 8

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image stream recordingand reproducing apparatus of Embodiment 8 of the present invention. Asshown in the diagram, the same symbols as FIG. 7 are the same divisionsor the same means. This Embodiment 8 having such configuration will bedescribed next.

First, recording operation will be described. If means of controllingrecords 2 starts operation for recording an image stream, an imagestream is inputted from the outside, and then the image stream isinputted to both means of detecting frame I location information 11 andmeans of controlling records 2.

On receipt of input of the image stream, means of detecting frame Ilocation information 11 detects any location of frame I from this imagestream as frame I location information, generates a recording startsignal including this frame I location information and inputs it tomeans of controlling records 2.

On the other hand, on receipt of input of the image stream and therecording start signal, based on the frame I location informationincluded in the recording start signal, means of controlling records 2detects any frame I from the inputted image stream and records any imagestream including and after this frame I in means of recording 3. Also,means of controlling records 2 abandons any image stream before theabove frame I and does not record it in means of recording 3.

Thus, in recording operation, any image stream including and after theframe I detected by means of detecting frame I location information isstored in means of recording 3.

Next, while reproducing operation and decoding will be performed as witha conventional image stream recording and reproducing apparatus, as inthese Embodiments 6 and 7, the image stream is configured by frame I atits head so that operation for detection of frame I by the decoder willbe omitted.

Thus, on recording an image stream, an image stream recording andreproducing apparatus of this Embodiment 8 detects any frame I includedin an image stream to be recorded as frame I location information inadvance and records the image stream headed with frame I on recording soas to allow time for preparation required for reproduction to beshortened as a whole by omitting operation for detection of frame I bythe decoder on decoding.

Moreover, while an MPEG transport stream recording and reproducingapparatus for detecting PSI and an MPEG image stream recording andreproducing apparatus for detecting frame I are described as separateapparatuses respectively in the Embodiments of the present invention,each of these Embodiments may also be configured by having means ofrecording 3 in common and arbitrarily combining the divisions and themeans, and in that case, the time required for decoding an MPEG-TS canbe further shortened.

Furthermore, in the Embodiments of the present invention, while it isdescribed that operation of means of detecting PSI 1, means ofcontrolling records 2, means of controlling reproduction 4, means ofadding PSI 5, means of detecting frame I location information 11, meansof managing frame I location information 12 and means of reading frame Ilocation information 13 is implemented by means of hardware, it may alsobe implemented by means of software, that is, by using a computer andoperating a program.

Also, while the Embodiments of the present invention are describedcentering on an MPEG transport stream recording and reproducingapparatus or an MPEG image stream recording and reproducing apparatusthereof, the present invention is a medium having a program and/or datafor having all or part of the functions of all or part of the means ofthe above-mentioned present invention executed by a computer, whereinsaid program and/or data readable and read by a computer perform saidfunctions in cooperation with said computer.

The data in this case includes data structures, data formats, data typesand so on.

A medium includes, for instance, a record medium such as ROM, atransmission medium such as the Internet, or a transmission medium suchas light, radio wave or a sound wave.

A medium having something includes, for instance, a record mediumrecording a program and/or data or a transmission medium transmitting aprogram and/or data.

Processable by computer means, for instance, in the case of a recordmedium such as ROM, that it is readable by a computer, and in the caseof a transmission medium, its meaning includes that a program and/ordata to be transmitted can be handled by a computer as a result oftransmission.

An information aggregate includes, for instance, software such as aprogram and/or data.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As it is apparent from the above description, the present inventionallows high-speed reproduction of data by omitting the time fordetecting PSI or PCR on decoding.

The present invention also allows high-speed reproduction of data byomitting the time for detecting frame I on decoding.

1. A recording and reproducing apparatus, comprising: a detector fordetecting an I-frame position from a MPEG transport stream; a recorderfor recording the MPEG transport stream; and a reproducer forreproducing the MPEG transport stream having the I-frame at its headbased on the I-frame position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a controller for managing and storing the I-frame positioninformation.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the recorder recordsthe I-frame position information.
 4. The recording and reproducingapparatus according to claim 1 having a random access function.
 5. Amedium having a program and/or data for having all or part of thefunctions of all or part of the present invention described in claim 1executed by a computer, characterized by being processable by acomputer.
 6. A recording and reproducing method, comprising steps of:detecting an I-frame position from a MPEG transport stream; recordingthe MPEG transport stream; and reproducing the MPEG transport streamhaving the I-frame at its head based on the I-frame position.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 further comprising step of managing and storing theI-frame position information.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein recordingthe I-frame position information.